Hydraulic foam tower



Dec. 6, 1955 L.. J. GRossHElM 2,725,943

HYDRAULIC FOAM TOWER Filed Jan. 13, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l LOUIS J. GROSSHEIM HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 6, 1955 l.. .1. GRossHx-:lm

HYDRAULIC FOAM TOWER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1955 VIZ e Si

FIG.2B

INVENTOR" LOUS J. GROSSHEIM I4 BYl HIS ATTORNEY Dec 6, 1955 l.. .1. GRossHElM HYDRAULIC FOAM TOWER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 13, 1953 FIG. 5

FIG.7

INVENTORZ LOUIS J. GROSSHEM HIS ATTORN EY vfoam applicator tube that may be Y crew of workmen.

Athe training required for operating United States Patent O scams. ,(01,169-4) This invention relates to portable: foam injection towers of the type -emplaced on the-ground in spaced relation to a tank containing inflammable materialV such as oilafterl a lire has started for extinguishing a tire, i. e., to emergency re Vfighting equipment. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in vertically expansible towers having a grappleV device, such as a hook-shaped placed over the edge of the tank.

Existing foamI towers of the type described are .open to the objection that `they are heavy and require the services of large crews of workmen forfemplacng the tower, particularly in the case'of -oil tanks -which may be 25 to -40 or more feet in Iheight. To overcome y-tlie difliculties iny hookingv -a t foam y'applicator tube over the edge of the -tank manually, it has been yproposed to use a hydraulically expansible-telescoping shaft-that hoists the foam applieatonsuch equipment is cumbersome to install. Further, towers-providing a rigid base and having hoisting cables, cranks, racks or the like, for elevating the applica- Ator are heavyand cannot be rapidly'erected by a small Finallyfthere have'been proposed heretofore towers having-telescoping tubular shafts Vthat can be expanded by admitting water or foam under pressure, lthe water or foam ilowmg from the shaftinto a foam lapplicator or discharge trunk situated at the top of the tower. The last-mentioned towers,` in the'form'heretofore proposed, have the drawback that it is dificult to emplace and retain them in position since the pressure of the water acts to expand the tower vertically at all' times that water is supplied to the foam generator to raise the applicator to the maximum height, whereby the dependent partvof the foam applicator cannot be readily hooked over the edge of the tank to give support to the tower during ilow of water to the foam generator; when special mechanical means such as cables or pull-down devices are used to effect partial'contraction of such a tower their operation is time-consuming for the'ire crew members remaining inside of the fire walls of the burning tanks during the erection of Athe tower, and the additional operations necessary to operate such mechanical means increase personnel. Further drawbacks of such last-mentioned towers are that, in order 4to provide a suicient hydrostatic pressure to raise the tower to its full extension for tall tanks, it is necessary to provide a constriction at the uppermost section, which necessarily limits the capacity of the foam tower for delivering foam; and that liquid is discharged from the applicator tube at all times during erection of the tower, whereby Aa large quantity of-water or foam falls-in the vicinity of the crew members.

-lt is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved expansible foam tower and method,A of erecting such a tower and method ofghting tires therewith, wherein the tower is light in'weight, simple, easily erected in a stable position with a few simple operations by a small fcrew of men, such as two to four men, for extinguishing tial-ly contracted the grapple part inlet under Asuilicient .while substantially shutting oit the flow of ilud to kthe .foam applicatorl and `which fluid may escape; or

`thereof connected to the interior of l to i the j foam applicator. pressure within all parts of the telescoping shaft below from. the applicator can ICC lires in tanks. A specic object is to provide an improvedl to provide a hydraulic tower wherein the discharge of Y water or foam from the foam applicator or delivery trunk during application of hydraulic pressure to the telescoping section is avoided.

In summary, thehydraulic foam of telescoping tubular shaft sections providing inter-communicating spaces, a'tluid inlet for admitting fluid, eag., water, under pressure to said'inter-communicating spaces for expanding the tower, staying means such as a plurality of struts and/ or guy cables' by means of which the ltower can bey erected to a vertical position while in a contracted condition near to but in spaced relation to the tank, and a superstructure including a foam applicator orldelivery trunk and a grapple part at the top of an upper telescoping shaft section (normally the uppermost),the grapple partl beingv in most cases the discharge part of the foam tower has a plurality applicator which extends downwardly in spaced relation foam applicator is provided with conduit means for supplying Afluid thereto and the tower has valve means for reducing the fluid pressure in at least the portion of the telescoping shaft that contains iluid acting upwardly on the said upper section, while permitting the flow of fluid to the applicator, whereby the telescoping shaft can be parafter the'full extension thereof to engage with the edge of the tank and foam can be delivered` while the fluid pressure in the said telescop- `ing shaft is reduced and while the tower is supported by engagement of the grapple part with the tank.

According to one embodiment of the invention the said conduit to the foam applicator is separate and independent from 'thesaid 4telescoping shaft and the valve means includes at least a valve arrangement for selectively (a) admitting iluid into the teles'coping shaft through the said pressure to extend the shaft fully Y (b) reducing the pressure in the telescoping shaft (e. g., shutting off the admission of'iluid `and reducing the pressure by discharge of the iluid in any manner) -while admitting fluid at any desired rate to the foam applicator. This may involve a diversion valve for selectively flowing water or other fluid selectively to the shaft or applicator through independent conduits and a bleeder valve or simply a permanent vent or leak in-the telescoping shaftV or conduit leading to it from it may involve a manifold or water hydrant with independent valves for controlling the vilows of fluid to the telescoping shaft or foam applicator independently of each other.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the said conduit to the foam'applicator has the intake an upper telescoping section, e. g., thev uppermost section carrying the superstructure, whereby the fluid flows through the telescoping shaft prior to entering the foam applicator, and the'valve means is a flow control or shut-olf valve at an upper part of the shaft loperable from the ground and disposed to regulate the passage of fluid from the telescoping shaft When this valve is shut-the the valve can reach the maximum value permitted bylthe source of the iluid pressure while the discharge of yfluid be prevented; when this valve is opened the flow ofltluid results in a pressuredrop, thereby both reducing the pressure within all or the upper portion ofthe telescoping section toy permit the ,shaftirto Patentedvec. 5, 1955 3 contract and commencing the delivery of fluid to the applicator.

The term fluid, as used herein, includes foam and water that may contain chemicals adapted to form foam. Thus, a variety of foam generating devices and chemicals is known in the art and the invention may be practiced with all of them. For example, foam may be generated on the ground and admitted to the foam applicator through the aforesaid conduit, either directly or by ow through the telescoping shaft; or the foam may be generated within the foam applicator or within a foam generator that forms a part of the said superstructure and is interposed between the said conduit and the foam applicator.

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and illustrating certain preferred embodiments, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the tower illustrating the tower in solid lines in contracted, upright position and showing successive stages in the method of erection in dotted lines;

Figures 2A and 2B are longitudinal sectional views of two parts of the tower, parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2A;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevation view of a modified form of the superstructure;

Figure 5 is an elevation view showing a modified arrangement adapted for generation of foam on the ground; and

Figure 6 is an elevation view showing a further modified arrangement adapted for use with a two-solution chemical foam system; and

Figure 7 is an elevation view, partly in section, of a modified construction of the superstructure wherein the liquid is passed through the telescoping tower.

Referring to Figures l, 2 and 3, of the drawings the tower comprises an expansible shaft that includes a plurality, e. g., four telescoping, tubular shaft sections 10, 11, 12 and 13 defining therein inter-communicating spaces. A

. smaller or greater number of sections may be used. The

lowcrmost section has a base 14 adapted to rest on the ground and to permit a rocking or tilting movement of the tower about the lower part of the tower, e. g., about a horizontal axis at the ground extending generally parallel to the wall of the tank toward which the tower is to be tilted. The uppermost section 13 has a transverse seal 15 forming a closure to prevent upward flow of uid, so that pressure fluid within the said spaces can act upwardly to expand the shaft. The several shaft sections are provided with any suitable stop means to limit relative axial movements; in the embodiment illustrated such stops include a ring 16 welded inside of the tube wall near the upper end of `each of the sections 10, 11 and 12 and a ring 17 secured about each of the sections 11, 12 and 13 near the lower ends thereof. A guide ring 18 is welded to the end of each tube 11-13 below the respective ring 17 to insure alignment of the shaft sections when expanded, and a,

threaded ring 19 may be attached at the top of each section 10-12. The rings have clearances as shown. The lowcrmost section is provided with an inlet for admitting water under pressure, communicating with lateral pipe 20 that is welded to the shaft section and has coupling means to receive a flexible hose 21, such as a tire hose, which is further connected to a source of water, such as a hydrant or manifold 22. The water conduit means is advantageously providedwith a suitable shut-off valve at any desired point; this may, for example, be the valve;

23 at the manifold. The shaft is further provided with any suitable means for discharging water to reduce the water pressure therein and thereby permit the shaft to be contracted from expanded position when the admission of water is stopped or reduced; this may be a discharge or bleeder vent 24 that may have a shut-off valve 24a and is connected to the section 10. Such a bleed and the foam applicator tube.

vent and valve may be omitted when other means for the escape of water are used, e. g., the`pipe'20 may serve this purpose when the hose 21 is uncoupled at either end thereof. The section 10 carries a pair of spiked handling struts 25, 26, pivotally connected at 27, by which the tower can be erected, held and tilted.

A superstructure is secured to the uppermost shaft section 13 by means vof 4straps 29 that are welded to the shaft. The superstructure includes a foam applicator tube 28 which is, in embodiment, shaped to function also as a grapple device. Thus, the tube is hook-shaped, having a lateral part 30 and a downwardly extending discharge part 31 that is open at the bottom and is horizontally spaced from the tower and is thereby adapted to be hooked over the top edge of the tank and to discharge form downwardly into the tank. In this embodiment the applicator tube is provided with a fluid supply conduit in the form of a exible hose 32 that is independent of the telescoping shaft and the superstructure further carries a mechanical foam generator 33, of any approved type, having `air-admission ports 34, interposed between the hose 32 Water containing foammaking chemicals in solution or dispersion can be supplied through the hose to the foam generator in which it is mixed with air to form foam, which ows through the foam applicator' tube. The hose 32, which is suflciently long to extend to the ground when the shaft is fully expanded, may have the intake end connected to a dosing or mixing device 35 of any approved type by which foammaking chemicals, supplied through a conduit 35a, are added to the water. vThe dosing device is supplied with water under pressure from the manifold or hydrant 22 through a valve 36. It may be noted that the dosing device and mechanical foam generator are known per se and form no part of this invention. Moreover, the hydrant 22, the dosing device and the control valves would in most cases be mounted on a fire truck, not shown, provided with pumps to supply water under suitable pressure and which would be located at a greater distance from the tower than is suggested by Figure 1. l

In using the tower to iight a fire in an oil tank 37, the tower in contracted condition is carried to the site adjoining the tank and placed horizontally on the ground with the base 14 near to but in spaced relation `to the tower and theupper part extending away from the tank. The hoses 21 and 32 are connected to the hydrant and dosing device, as shown, the valves 23, 24a and 36 being shut. The tower is then emplaced in substantially vertical position over the part of the ground occupied by the base 14 by raising the upper end with the aid of the spiked struts 25 and 26, the spikes of which are pushed into the ground at successive locations. If desired, guy cables 38 attached to the uppermost section 13, may be used to steady the tower against lateral motion. The tower is then in the solid line position A shown in Figure l, and may incline very slightly, so as to place some load on the struts.

The valve 23 is next opened to admit water under pressure to the inter-communicating spaces within the tubular sections. This causes the upward expansion of the telescoping shaft to the dotted line position B of Figure l, in which the discharge part 31 of the applicator tube is entirely above the level of the upper edge of the tank 37.

The expanded tower is next tilted on its base 14 toward the tank 37 by pushing onthe struts, to the dotted line position C.

The expanded tower is next partiallycontractcd by shutting the valve 23 and permitting water to escape from the inside of the telescoping shaft, e. g., by opening the bleeder valve 24a, or through any other opening, until thelateral part 30 of the applicator tube comes to rest on the upper edge of the tank wall. The final position of the tower is .shown in the dottel line position D in Figure 1. In this position the tower is hooked to the tank, placing the applicator tube into foam delivering lcable lto other foam -wherein the hose 32` position. "lhezweightof the uppermosttsection 131is `then Carried' .by the tank` .throughthe grappling .action-of- 'the applicator tube.

f tower and raise theapplicator tube clear of thel tank wall to the position C. The tower may Vthen .be pulled vaway from the tank v to the vertical or near-vertical position B by means -of the struts 25 *and 26,.assisted, if desired, by theguy cables `38and contracted by shutting the valve 23 and opening the valve 24a. Theempty, contracted tower may then-be swung to horizontal position `on the ground.

It 'is evidentl that fthe tower is -ofextremely simple constructionland can beeasily operated by a small crew of;

men. In emergency, a crew of two -men can manhandle the tower. .The tower is securely hooked tothe edge of the tank during the supply of water under full pressure through the hose 32 because the water supply Ameans to the applicator -tube is' independent of the water supply Vforexpanding the telescoping shaft.

The grapple part of the superstructure may be separate from the discharge part of the applicator tube as shown in- Figure 4, wherein theapplicator tube 28a,'fixed to the uppermost shaft section 13 by straps 29, carries aA separate grapple device in the form of a hook .39 for engaging the edge of the tank 37. The applicator tube may thereby be extended toabove the -edge ofthe -tank and the discharge end 'thereof mayl be extended horizontally to discharge foam with a horlzontal velocity component in any desired direction. The term grapple part'is herein used generically to include fthe hook 39- of Figure 4 and the discharge part 31 of the applicator tube .of Figure 2B.

The -invention was describedl above as applied to a simple foamgenerator supplied with water and chemicals -through a single line, such chemicals being typically -a protein substance. However, the invention is also appligenerators, e. g., two solution systems, carries either the foam generated onl the ground or wherein two separate hose lines are provided for two solutions which are mixed at the top of 'the towerto produce foam by chemical reaction. These variants are illustrated in connection with Figures 5 and 6, Vlike numbers inA these views and in Figures 1 3 denoting like parts.

In Figure 5, the superstructure does not carry a mechanical foam generator; instead, the foam applicator tube '2811 is connected directly to the hose Which has `the inlet end thereof connected to a Y-tting 40 to which two vchemical solutions, often known as A and B solutions, are supplied from dosing devices 41 and 42, respectively, 'through hoses these dosing devices through hoses 45 and 46 from the hydrant 22 under control of valves 36a and 36h. It is evident that `in this embodiment the valves 36a land 36b are operated in the manner previously described for the valve 36. When the two aqueous ,solutions are com- --mngl'ed in the Y-itting 40 foam is generated and the .resultingfoaniisvtransported to the top of the tower 'through the hose 32 and discharged through the applicator tube 2812.

In Figure 6, the arrangement is similar but the Y-tting 40a is a part of the superstructure and is connected directly to the foam applicator tube 28h, the hoses 43a and 44a being in this case made long enough to extend to the top of the expanded tower and the hose 32 being eliminated. Foam is, in this case, generated in the Y-tting and in the lower part of the foam applicator tube.

Figure 7 illustrates a modified embodiment wherein 43 and 44. Water is supplied to Y sha-ft section,

-themechanicalfoam generator 33 and `the foamv applicator tube 28; when chemical foam is to be yusedas shown for Figures 5 and 6, the applicator tube 28 may be .mounted directly-on the valve housing. 'The valve may be `opened or closedby tilting .in `a clockwise or counterclockwise direction an actuating lever 52 to the vends of --whichv' are attached chains or cords-53V and 54. These `extend throughout theheight-of the expanded shaft, *whereby` :the valvemay be manipulated from the ground.

Inerecting `.the tower according to Figure 7, the inlet ,tothe lowermost section is connected to a manifold 'by a hose-and the tower is emplaced in uprightposition A of Figure -l while in contracted condition at the desired location, using the struts as previously described. The valve 50 being closed, .fluid under pressure (e. g.,water) is admitted to expand the tower .to the positionB. The tower is vthen-tilted tothe position C and partially contracted by either-of two techniques. The fastestis simplyftorotate .the valve actuating; lever 52 to open the valve-50; this-causes duid to .ow through the supply hose, Vtelescoping sections, foamgenerator and applicator tube, resulting in a-pressure drop .and reducing the pressure .within the -telescopingshafa or at least within the uppermostsection-thereof, suliiciently to cause the shaft to .assume ythe rposition D with the applicator in engagement with -the tank. Alternatively, the admission of Huid-can :be temporarily interrupted from the hydrant while openl:is developed therein.

I claim as myginvention:

l. A portable reextinguishing foam injection tower -for astorage tank comprising: a verticallylexpansible shaft including a pluralityV of telescoping, tubular sha-ft sections having internally communicating spaces, the lowermostfofsaid lsections beingadapted to receive support near-thesaid tank for -tilting .movement of the shaft in upright position toward `said tank; staying means attached to fthe-shaft-at .an elevated Apart thereof .for erecting the shaft-while in contracted condition teau-upright position inspaced relation ,to the tank; afuid inlet to said spaces .of-the shaft sectionsffor supplying fluid under pressure to expandv the shaft; a superstructure `fixed to an upper .said superstructure including a foam applicator tube `anda -grapplepart adapted for supportingengagement with an elevated partV of said tank, the height of` said expansible shaft when expanded being sufficient .to raise saidy grapple part above said elevated-parrot the tank,whereby said -uppermost section can besupported from the -tank through-said grapple part by tilting the vexpanded shaft toward `the Ytank and thereafter partially contracting the shaft; conduit-means for vsupplying ruidto theffoamapplicator tube; and valve meansfor reducing thepressurefin at least the portion of the expansible shaft that .contains lluid acting upwardly on the said yuppershaft section while permitting the supply of uid through said conduit means to the foam applicator tube to permit the shaft to be partially contracted during the flow of iluid to the applicator tube.

2. A foam injection tower according to claim 1 wherein said conduit means to supply uid to the foam applicator tube is independent of said telescoping shaft sections.

3. A foam injection tower according to claim l wherein said conduit means to supply uid to the foam applicator tube has the intake thereof connected to the space within the said upper telescoping shaft section and the said valve means is disposed to control the ow of iluid from the expansible shaft through the said conduit means and through the foam applicator tube.

4. A foam injection tower according to claim l wherein said grapple part is a hook that is distinct from the foam applicator tube.

5. A portable re extinguishing foam injection tower for a storage tank comprising: a vertically expansible shaft including a plurality of telescoping, tubular shaft sections having internally communicating spaces, the lowermost of said sections being adapted to receive support near the said tank for tilting movement of the shaft in upright position toward said tank; strut means for erecting the shaft while in contracted condition to an upright position in spaced relation to the tank; a uid inlet to said spaces of the shaft sections; rst conduit means for admitting water under pressure into said spaces to expand the shaft; ow control means for said first conduit means for controlling the admission of water to said spaces; a superstructure xed to an upper telescoping shaft section, said superstructure including a foam applicator tube and a grapple part adapted for engagement with the edge of the tank, the height of said expansible shaft when expanded being sufficient to raise said applicator tube and grapple part above the edge of the tank, whereby the applicator tube can be moved to foam-delivering position and said upper section can be supported from the tank through said grapple part by tilting the expanded shaft toward the tank and thereafter partially contracting the shaft; second conduit means including at least one exible hose entirely external to said expansible shaft for supplying fluid under pressure to the foam applicator tube; and valve means for controlling the ow of fluid through said second conduit means, whereby the supply of uid tothe foam applicator tube can be controlled independently of the water pressure in the said spaces of the shaft to permit the shaft to be partially contracted during flow of uid to the foam applicator tube.

6. A portable fire extinguishing foam injection tower for a storage tank comprising: a vertically expansible shaft including a plurality of telescoping, tubular shaft sections having internally communicating spaces the lowermost of said sections being adapted to receive support near the said tank for tilting movement of the shaft in upright position toward said tank; strut means for erecting the shaft while in contracted condition to an upright position in spacedrelation to the tank; a uid inlet to said spaces of the shaft sections; conduit means for admitting fluid under pressure into said spaces to expand the shaft; a superstructure fixed to an upper telescoping shaft section, said superstructure including a foam applicator tube and a grapple part adapted for engagement with the edge of the tank, the height of said expansible shaft when expanded being suflicient to raise said applicator tube and grapple part above the edge of the tank, whereby the applicator tube can be moved to foam-delivery position and the said upper section can be supported from the tank through said grapple part by tilting the expanded shaft toward the tank and thereafter partially contracting the shaft; a conduit including a ow control valve interconnecting a space within the expansible shaft substantially at the said upper section with the foam applicator tube, whereby the ow of uid to the foam applicator can be reduced and the fluid pressure within said shaft can be increased by shutting said valve and the said ow can be increased and the said uid pressure can be reduced by opening the said valve; and means operable from the bottom of the shaft for actuating said valve.

7. A portable fire extinguishing foam injection tower for a storage tank comprising: a vertically expansible shaft including a plurality of telescoping, tubular shaft sections having internally communicating spaces, the lowermost of said sections being adapted to receive support near the said tank for tilting movement of the shaft in upright position toward said tank; strut means for erecting the shaft while in contracted condition to an upright position in spaced relation to the tank; a uid inlet to said spaces of the shaft sections for supplying uid under pressure to expand the shaft; a superstructure fixed to an upper telescoping shaft section, said superstructure including a foam applicator tube, a grapple part adapted for engagement with the edge of the tank, and a mechanical foam generator connected to the foam applicator tube; and conduit means for supplying water containing foammaking chemicals to said foam generator.

8. A portable lire exhinguishing foam injection tower for a storage tank comprising: a vertically expansible shaft including a plurality of telescoping tubular shaft sections having internally communicating spaces, the lowermost of said sections having a base for resting on the ground near to the tank and adapted for tilting movement of the shaft in upright position about the base; a plurality of struts movably secured to the shaft at an elevated part thereof for erecting the shaft while in contracted condition in upright position in spaced relation to the tank and for tilting the shaft toward the tank after expansion of the shaft; a water inlet to the said lowermost shaft section for admitting water under pressure to said spaces within the shaft sections to expand the shaft; means for discharging water from said interior spaces to permit the shaft to be contracted; a foam generator carried by the uppermost shaft section, said uppermost section having wall means isolating the said spaces within the shaft sections from the foam generator; a foam applicator tube rigid with respect to said uppermost shaft section communicating at the intake end thereof with said foam generator and having a discharge part extending downwardly in spaced relation to said shaft section, the height of expansible shaft when expanded being sutiicient to raise the discharge part of the applicator tube above the edge of the tank, whereby said uppermost section can be supported from the edge of the tank through said applicator tube by tilting the expanded shaft toward the tank and partially contracting the shaft by discharge of water from said spaces; and conduit means including a flexible hose external to the shaft connected to said foam generator for supplying water containing foaming chemicals independently of the water pressure within the said spaces to permit the shaft to be in partially contracted condition during the flow of water to the foam generator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 348,297 Shaw Aug. 31, 1886 423,663 Brown et al Mar. 18, 1890 1,009,293 VFink Nov. 2l, 1911 1,835,132 Anania Dec. 8, 1931 2,055,640 Verrier Sept. 29, 1936 2,064,278 Tappe Dec. l5, 1936 2,254,879 Adams Sept. 2, 1941 2,265,063 Crumly Dec. 2, 1941 

